If you don’t make a point to run in the rain, do you even love running? One thing I’m learning about being a dedicated runner during the summer, is it doesn’t matter what you wear or how much you hydrate, the heat is horrible. It’s more than horrible some days, it’s painful especially depending on the distance being ran. The elevated temperatures add an invisible challenge to the already lengthy miles and the humidity makes any experienced runner feel like they have weights tied to their feet.
Most folks plan their outdoor activities around avoiding the rain but as a runner, I make a point to encounter it. It’s something to look forward to during the painful afternoon or early evening strides around the island. Most often it seems the rain comes later in the day as opposed to the early morning. The morning can be a much easier time to run although the humidity can be suffocating while adding additional weight. I will say though, while the dawning humidity is dense and annoying to acclimate to, the morning sunrises on the bridge make getting up early worth it.
Recently I did a 10 miler along the main highway running through my city. There’s an 8-mile-long trail that’s paved next to the highway, partial sun coverage from the trees and plenty of privacy from vehicles to not see my sporadic jam sessions to whatever it is I’m listening to. Spontaneous air punching happens on those extra hyped-up or spicy runs that usually cap a day where I really just need to let the energy out. There is also the unpredictable fist pump that makes its unannounced appearance when I’m having a really powerful run, and my Spotify is on point for the mood I’m in that day. *Cues Ciera ‘Jump’*
It was a hot afternoon recently when I set out for a good outside run on a Sunday. I knew what the forecast called for in terms of thunder showers, so I planned my start time accordingly. I prayed the sky would open just as soon as my feet started striking the pavement. There was plenty of cloud coverage and more darkness building in the distance that I knew was getting blown southbound in my direction. There wasn’t going to be a better time to take off down the road of the neighborhood to run along the main highway.
Wouldn’t you know it, the clouds held out. It stayed cloudy and steamy from an earlier afternoon sprinkle, but no rain. The miles pounded on under my feet while my mind got lost in the sound of my podcast on my earbuds and still, no rain. The cloud coverage and trees on my route provided enough comfort to continue on with my run despite the heat and steam. If anyone had encountered me on that path, they may assumed I had ran in the earlier thundershower judging by how wet my t-shirt and skin was.
Finally, with .10 of a mile left in my ten miler, the clouds broke loose letting all of the bottled up rain drench me, and my path home. It was my pleasure to then take the lengthier way back to the house so I could allow the cold water saturate my hot and tired body.
I love the peace found in a rain shower <3
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